The annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) slated for next Wednesday at the Pentagon will be the first in-person meeting between South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin since Kim's appointment in early September.
The main agenda of the meeting will be focused on discussing North Korea's recent troop deployment to Russia to support its war in Ukraine.
Also included in the agenda are Seoul's expanded military supplies to the Eastern European country such as the possible delivery of lethal weapons.
South Korea has provided modest supplies so far, including military uniforms and other equipment in addition to humanitarian aid.
With the meeting coinciding just a week ahead of the U.S. presidential election, the two countries are also expected to reaffirm their mutual alliance.
"The upcoming SCM holds particular significance as we seek to strengthen cooperation with our ally amid escalating security concerns due to North Korea's recent troop deployment to Russia and its ongoing provocations such as launching trash-filled balloons toward the South," said a ministry official.
